Method of and apparatus for uniting mesh fabrics



Dec. 19, 1944. c. SEAMAN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UNITING MESH FABRICS Filed June 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. 67mm 5- SEAMAN A TTORNt'X Dec. 19, 1944. SEAMAN 2,365,495

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UNITING MESH FABRICS Filed June 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. C/meLgs SEAMAN C. SEAMAN Dec. 19, 1944.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UNI' IING MESH FABRICS Filed June 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Can/945s SEAMAN A TTORNEX Patented Dec. 19, 1944 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR UNITIN G MESH FABRICS CharlesSeaman, Jamaica Estates, N. Y.

Application June 16, 1943, Serial No. 490,991

18 Claims.

, This invention relates to sewing machines, and more particularly to an attachment for a zigzag sewing machine, as well as a method of joining two pieces of mesh fabric together.

For many uses today, it is highly desirable that mesh fabric be of relatively wide widths. However, many mesh fabric machines do not produce a. mesh fabric of the desired width. Thus, to provide a, mesh fabric of relatively large width, it becomes necessary to jin two pieces of such mesh fabric by sewing together the opposite edges of the mesh fabric to produce a seam with each of the original pieces-of the mesh fabric extending in opposite directions therefrom. It is highly desirable to align the opposite edges of the respective pieces of the mesh material which are to be stitched together so that the interstices adjacent the seam are in substantially matching relation, and produce a smooth flat seam as well as impart to the seamed material a general appearance at least of a single piece of mesh fabric.

An object of this invention is to provide a method which comprises aligning two pieces of mesh fabric with two opposite edges in abutting relationship and securing said edges together by a zig-zag stitching.

Another object of this invention is to provide a zig-zag sewing machine with means to align the opposite edges of two pieces of mesh fabric and feed the aligned materials to and through the stitching position where the edges will be joined together by zig-zag stitching.

A further objectof this invention is to provide an attachment for a zig-zag sewing machine, having means which will properly position the opposite edges of the two pieces of mesh material which are to be joined together and permit feeding of the thus-positioned materials through the stitching position where the edges will be joined together in abutting relationship by zigzag stitching.

Other objects, will become apparent from the following description.

In general, the objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a zig-zag sewing machine before the stitching position with a roll having a plurality of projections arranged cir-' cumferentially thereof and so positioned as to simultaneously and progressively engage the interstices adjacent the longitudinal edges of two pieces of mesh fabric extending in opposite directions and position the opposite edges in substantially abutting relationship and align the interstices of the two fabrics in substantially matching relationship. Means are provided to guide the two pieces of mesh material to and from the aligning roll. Means are also provided to inhibit the overlapping of the edges of the respective tachment in position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the attachment and driving means therefor;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-.-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of two pieces of mesh fabric joined together.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral l0 designates a base upon which is supported a sewing machine head l2. At one end thereof, the head I2 is provided with a needle bar 14 in which a needle I6 is positioned and a presser foot bar I8 which carries a presser foot 20. The sewing machine is of the well-known type designed to sew material with the so-called zig-zag stitch. In such a machine, the needle bar I4 is reciprocated in a vertical direction and after each penetrating thrust is oscillated horizontally whereby the needle stitches first on one side and then on the other side of a seam to provide the zig-zag stitching. The precise details of the mechanism for horizontally "oscillating and vertically reciprocating the needle bar are well known in the art and, since they form no essential part of this invention, it is unnecessary to give a detailed description thereof.

The presser foot 20 cooperates with feed dogs 22 which extend through apertures 24 of a cover plate 26. The feed dogs 22 are actuated by the well-known feed-actuating mechanism (not shown) A hand lever 28 is provided for manual elevation or lowering of the presser foot bar l8.

At the other end of the head l2, there is provided a pulley 30 driven by means of a belt 32 by a suitable drive mechanism (not shown). The pulley 3i drives the main shaft (not shown) for actuating the needle bar. It is to be noted that the pulley and the drive means therefor are on one end of the machine, and the needle bar It and presser foot bar l8 are on the opposite end thereof. The details of the sewing machine described up to now are of the conventional zigzag sewing machine type.

The attachment which comprises one phase of 'set screw I9.

screw '82.

the instant invention will now be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the attachment comprises a base 40 which is removably secured by screws 42 to the work support 44 of the machine. At each end, the attachment base 40 is provided with upwardly inclined arms 46 and 41, and the upper free end of each arm is provided with a bearing, 48 and 49 respectively, in Which a shaft 50 is rotatably mounted. Intermediate the bearings 48 and 49, a roll 52 is secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 54. As fully shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the roll 52 is provided with a plurality of projections 56 arranged circumferentially of the roll and positioned thereon in accordance with the pattern of the mesh fabrics passed over the roll 52. In

the form shown, there are two sets of projections, I

each set being laterally spaced from the other so that when two mesh fabrics to be joined are fed over the roll 52, each set will progressively engage the (full) successive interstices adjacent the edges-of the respective mesh fabrics passing thereover and align the two fabrics so that the interstices are in substantially matching relationship and the edges are in substantially abutting relationship. In the form shown, the projections of one set are disposed in staggered relationship with respect to the projections of the other set.

A roll 69 provided with a hub 62 is also secured to the shaft 59 by means of a set screw 64. As shown in Figure 1, the roll 59 is adjacent (to the left) the bearing 48. A roll 66 provided with a hub 68 is secured to the shaft 59 by means of a As shown in Figure 1, the roll 66 is positioned on that end of the shaft 5i] which extends through the bearing 49.

The mesh fabrics are passed over the roll 52 so that the projections 56 will align the fabrics, as previously mentioned. The rolls 5D and 66 engage the mesh material at places removed from the projections 56 and aid in supporting and feeding the material over the roll 52.

In order to guide the two pieces of mesh material fed to the roll 52, there'is provided a guide I4 which is positioned in advance of the roll. The guide I4 is provided with a separator blade 16 which is positioned on a line intermediate the two sets of projections 56 and is designed to prevent overlapping of the two edges of mesh material fed thereunder. As shown in Figure 1, the guide I4 consists of a bar having one end thereof looped inwardly, as designated by the reference numeral I8, in order to prevent any straight edges from contacting the mesh fabric passing therebeneath. The other end of the guide I4 is secured in one end of an arm 89 by means of a The other end 84 of the arm 80 is mounted on a sleeve 86 loosely positioned on the shaft 50. A spring 88, positioned intermediate a flange 90 and the end 84 of the arm 80, urges the guide I4 downwardly. Due to the spring 88, the guide is .resiliently mounted.

In order to guide the mesh fabrics from the roll 52, there is provided a guide 94 which is positioned beyond the roll 52 and in advance of the stitching position. The guide 94 comprises a vertical member 96, bent at the top thereof to form a horizontal member 98 which is adjustably mounted in a sleeve I00 by means of set screws I92. The lower end of the vertical member 96 is bent to form a horizontally extending W- shaped member I03 beneath which mesh material passes. It is to be noted'that each of the mesh fabrics passing under the member I93 is engaged only at one point.

The two guides I4 and 94 serve to guide the mesh fabrics to and from the roll 52. By adjusting the guide 94, the arc of contact between the fabrics and the roll 52 may be increased or decreased as desired.

In advance of the guide 94, there is provided another guide I94 beneath which the materials pass in their travel to the stitching position. The guide I04 is provided with a blade I95 which is designed to maintain the longitudinal edges of the mesh materials in position and prevent them from overlapping. The guide I94 is carried on one end of an arm I98, the other end II J of which is pivotally mounted in a block II2 adjustably secured on the presser foot bar I8 by means of a set screw I I4. The guide I94 is yieldably mounted by means of a spring IIE secured at one end thereof to a pin H3 on the arm I98, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin I29 on the block H2. The guide I 94 preferably is positioned to cooperate with the work support and flatten, if necessary, the two materials passing thereunder, especially in the neighborhood of the longitudinal edges to be joined.

The guide I04 is also positioned in close proximity to the presser foot 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the blade I08 extends in between the bifurcated toes of the presser foot. The blade I96 is beveled in shape and a portion thereof extends between the bifurcated toes of the presser foot. As previously mentioned, it servesto prevent the longitudinal edges of the aligned materials from overlapping.

A roll I22 is positioned rearwardly of the stitching position and it is designed to engage the seamed materials at the seam thereof and cooperate with the work support in feeding the seamed materials across the work support. The roll I22 is secured to a sleeve I24 which, in turn, is secured to a shaft I26. The roll I22 is provided with a hub I28 which is secured to one end of a vertical arm I29 of the member I30. The member I30 is also provided with a horizontal arm I3I, one end of which is integral with the vertical arm I29. The horizontal arm I3I extends through a block I32 and is secured thereinby means of a set screw I34. The block I32 is slidably disposed on the pre ser foot bar I8 and is seated on the block H2. The portion of the arm I3I extending beyond the block I32 is secured in the sleeve I00 by means of screws I36. In this manner, the arm I3I carries the sleeve I in which the guide 94 is positioned. Upon elevation of the presser foot bar I8, the block II2 will be raised, and the guide I04 and the block I32 will be accordingl raised. Elevation of the block I32 also elevates the guide 94 and the roll I22. I

The roll I22 is driven by the shaft I26 through the mechanism of the general type disclosed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 481,971 and 481,972, both filed April 6, 1943, and which will now be briefly described.

The shaft I26, which is spaced from the work support, is disposed rearwardl of the head and driven from the pulley 30 of the machine. As shown in Figure 1, a pulley I40 is secured to the main drive pulley 39 in any suitable manner. The pulley I40 drives a belt I42 formed of an elastic material, such as rubber, and trained over a pulley I44 positioned'on one end of a shaft I46positioned rearwardly of the head. The shaft I46 is'journaled in an arm I48 of a bifurcated block I50 mounted at the rear of the, sewing machine head. The other end of the shaft I46 is journaled in the other arm I52 of the block I50. Adjacent the arm I 52, the shaft I46 is provided with a gear I54 which meshes with a gear I56 mounted on a stub shaft I58 carried by the arm I52. A gear I60 on the stub shaft I58 meshes with a gear I62 carried on the end of the shaft I20 and journaled in the arm I52. From the description, it. is clear that the arm I52 constitutes a bearing for theshaft I26, and the gears I54, I56, I00, I02 serve as a reducing gear train, and by proper selection of the gears any appropriate speed may beimparted to the shaft I25. If desired, the arm I 52 and the gear train may be encased in a cover (not shown). It will thus, be seen that when the machine is operated, the shaft I26 will be operated and the roll I22 will be driven in timed relationship with the feed dogs as ,the stitching operation progresses.

The block I50 is provided with a pair of spaced depending lugs, I10, through which a pivot shaft I 'I2 extends and in which the pivot shaft I12 is secured. The, opposite ends of the pivot shaft I12 pass through ears I14 and H6 of arms I18 and I80 respectively of a base I82, the horizontal member I84 of which is removably secured to the Work support by means of screws I86. A spring I88 positioned on the pivot shaft I'I2 urges the passes from the stitching position and feed the,

seamed material across the Work support to prevent accumulations of the stitched material.

When the seamed material is relatively wide, a roll I90 may be mounted on the sleeve I24 to aid in preventing accumulations alongside of the work support laterally of the needle. The roll I90 is of the form and construction described in my oopending, application Serial No. 481,972 (see Figure 8).

When the roll I22 is elevated, the roll I will also be elevated, and the block I50 together with the appurtenant elements thereof will be moved about the pivot shaft I12.

The roll 52 may be driven by the material passing thereover as it is being fed to and through the stitching position previously mentioned. Alternatively, the shaft 50 may be driven from the shaft I25, and such an embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring now to these Figures 1 and 2, a pulley I90 is secured to the shaft I26 adjacent the arm I52. An elastic belt I90, driven by the pulley I96, drives a pulley 200 which is loosely mountedon the shaft 50. The pulley 200 can be moved into locking position with a clutch mechanism 202 secured to the shaft 50.

The roll 52 is made of any smooth-surfaced material. A roll made of polished or coated wood has given satisfactory results. The projections 56 are made of any material which has a smooth surfacev so that they will not injure the fabric when the meshe thereof are engaged thereby. Projections made of polished metal or smooth surface plastic. have given satisfactory results. The rolls. 60, 65 and I22 are surfaced with materials which will produce the desired tractive efiect. When such rolls are surfaced with cork, satisfactory results are obtained.

The. rojections may be made integral with the roll or may be separately made and positioned in place on the roll. Preferably, the projections are 70.

made conical in shape. so that they can be used with various sized interstices without change. Though one set of projections has been shown for each of the two pieces of mesh fabric, it is to be understood that a plurality of sets for each fabric may be used. Of course, when such a plurality of sets of projections are used, they are also arranged in accordance with the pattern of the interstices, which is generally staggered.

In operation, two pieces of mesh material 2I0 and 2I2 are fed beneath the guide I4 with the opposite edges 2I4 and 2I6 engaging the respective side of the separator I6, and pass therefrom upwardly over the roll 52. Each projection 56 of one set penetrates into the respective interstices 2I5 of the fabric 2I0 as thefabric passes thereover. Each projection of the other set penetrates into the respective interstices 2H adjacent the edge of the piece 2I2. The rolls 60 and 6B aid in feeding material during the period it is in contact with the roll 52. The projections 50 align the mesh fabric in substantially matching relationship, and the two pieces of aligned mesh fabric pass beneath the guide 94. The guides I4 and 94 serve to provide the necessary are of contact between the mesh fabrics and the roll 52. Upon leaving the guide 04, the aligned materials pass beneath the guide I04, the separator I06 serving to prevent the aligned materials from overlapping. In this condition, the materials are fed through the stitching position whereby the zigzag stitching 2I8 is produced and the two mapieces of mesh material in abutting relationship for stitching and for presenting the thus-positioned edges to the stitching position, as well as aligning the two fabrics with the interstices thereof in. substantially matching relationship. The attachment may be secured to a zig-zag machine without in any way damaging the machine or without any great effort. When the attachment is not desired, it may be removed from the machine by removing the screws 42 which secure the base of the attachment to the work support. Likewise, the attachment is so constructed that it may be driven by the material passing thereover, or directly from the main driv ing pulley of the machine. When the shaft 50 is driven by the main pulley of the machine, the speeds are, of course, adjusted so as to feed the material in timed relationship with the stitching operation and the feed dogs. As previously explained, the driving mechanism, which incidentally also drives the rolls I22 and I90, may be moved to inoperative position.

Since it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, means to. progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to feed the thus-aligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching, and means before and after the aligning means to inhibit overlapping of the two fabrics at the edges thereof.

2. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a rotatably mounted roll over which both pieces of said mesh fabric simultaneously pass in their travel to the stitching position, said roll having a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, and means to feed the thusaligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching.

3. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a rotatably mounted roll over which both pieces of said mesh fabric simultaneously pass in their travel to the stitching position, said roll having a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to feed the thus-aligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching, and means to inhibit overlapping of the two fabrics at the edges thereof.

4. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a rotatably mounted roll over which both pieces of said mesh fabric simultaneously pass in their travel to the stitching position, said roll having a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to feed the thus-aligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching, and guide means before and after said roll to maintain the fabrics in contact with said roll.

5. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a roll having a plurality of projections circumferentiallythereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to feed the thus-aligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching, and means before and after said roll to inhibit the edges of the fabrics from overlapping.

\ 6. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a rotatably mounted roll over which both pieces of said mesh fabric simultaneously pass in their travel to the stitching position, said roll having a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to drive the aligning roll from the pulley end of said machine, means to render said driving means inoperative for driving said aligning roll, and means to feed the thusaligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching.

'7. In combination with a zig-zag sewing machine for joining two pieces of mesh fabric together at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam, a rotatably mounted roll over which both pieces of said mesh fabric simultaneously pass in their travel to the stitching position, said roll having a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices of the fabrics to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align said pieces with said edges in substantially abutting relationship, means to drive the aligning roll from the pulley end of said machine, means to render said driving means inoperative for driving said aligning roll, means to feed the thus-aligned materials with the edges thereof in position for zig-zag stitching, and means to inhibit overlapping of the two fabrics at the edges thereof.

8. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, means to guide the fabrics in their travel to said aligning roll, and means to guide the fabrics after leaving said aligning roll.

9. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plu rality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned inaccordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, means to drive the aligning roll shaft from the pulley end of the machine, means to render said driving means inoperative for driving said aligning roll shaft, means to guide the fabrics in their travel to said aligning roll, and means to guide the fabrics after leaving said aligning roll.

10. For a zigezag sewing machine .to join two pieces of mesh. fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, means to guide the fabrics in their travel to and from said aligning roll, and means to inhibit the edges of said fabrics from overlapping in their travel to and from said aligning roll.

11. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each pieceof fabric and align the pieces in position, an arm resiliently mounted on said shaft and means carried by said arm to guide the fabrics in their travel to said aligning roll, said guide having means to prevent the edges of said fabrics from overlapping.

12. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, and means to guide the fabrics 'in their travel to said aligning roll, said guide being carried by said shaft andhaving means to prevent the-edges of said fabrics from overlapping.

13. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried bysaid base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, means to guide the fabrics after leaving said roll, and means to mount said guide on the presser foot bar.

14. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereto to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the resepective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, a guide beneath which the fabrics pass after leaving said roll, means resiliently mounting said guide on said presser foot bar, and means on said guide to prevent the edges of the aligned fabrics from overlapping.

15. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, a guide beneath which the fabrics pass after leaving said roll, means to mount said guide on the presser foot bar, and means on said guide to prevent the edges of the aligned fabrics from overlapping.

16. A method which comprises simultaneously aligning two pieces of mesh fabric with two opposite edges thereof in abutting relationship and the interstices in substantially matching relationship, and securing said edges together by zig-zag stitching.

17. A method which comprises aligning two pieces of mesh fabric with two opposite edges thereof in abutting relationship, inhibiting said opposite edges from overlapping prior and subsequent to the aligning operation, and securing said edges together by zig-zag stitching.

18. For a zig-zag sewing machine to join two pieces of mesh fabric at the longitudinal edges thereof with the pieces extending in opposite directions from the seam and having a reciprocating and oscillating needle bar, a presser foot and feed dogs, an attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to the work support before said feed dogs, a shaft carried by said base, a roll on said shaft, said roll being provided with a plurality of projections circumferentially thereof and positioned in accordance with the pattern of the interstices in the mesh fabrics fed thereover to progressively engage the interstices adjacent the respective edge of each piece of fabric and align the pieces in position, a fabric-supporting roll on the aligning roll shaft and spaced from the said aligning roll, means to guide the fabrics in their travel to said aligning roll, and means to guide the fabrics after leaving said aligning rolls.

' CHARLES SEAD/LAN. 

